On March 10, 2026, agents from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team, in collaboration with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, executed a search warrant at a residence on Belcher Loop in the Rafter community of Tellico Plains, following multiple citizen complaints about suspected drug activity and heavy traffic at the location.

The search resulted in the seizure of felony amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana, along with drug ingestion paraphernalia and a semi-automatic handgun. Several individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Jail, facing charges that include possession of methamphetamine for resale, possession of marijuana for resale, felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug dwelling, simple possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation also revealed earlier action on March 5, 2026, when agents conducted a traffic stop on a person linked to the Belcher Loop property, seizing a felony amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia; that individual was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine for resale and possession of drug paraphernalia, and is currently held on a $75,000 bond.

Additionally, authorities discovered environmental damage caused by the suspects, including harm to a roadway and disruption of a nearby waterway leading to erosion and impacts within the Cherokee National Forest. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service Tellico Ranger District, and federal law enforcement for further action.

The investigation remains ongoing.